Summer Solstice 2014 happens on June 21

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), under the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology, reports that every June 21 is Summer Solstice, when there is the longest daytime of 13 hours in countries in the northern hemisphere. NARIT (Public Organisation) Director Boonraksa Sunthorntham told journalists on Friday that on every June 21, there is a natural phenomenon in which the Sun rises in the northeasternmost position on the horizon and it sets in the northwesternmost spot on the horizon. Boonraksa elaborated that on every June 21, countries in the world's northern hemisphere, thus, see the longest daytime for the whole year, 13 hours, and it is also the start of the summer season in the countries, while countries in the world's southern hemisphere face the shortest daytime for the whole year and the start of their winter season. As Thailand is situated near the Equator, the NARIT director acknowledged, the country also sees the longest daytime for the whole year of 13 hours on every June 21, when the Sun rises at around 5:51am (local time) at a northeastern position on the horizon and it sets at a northwestern spot on the horizon at around 6:47pm. (TNA)